I'm about to diamond turn an aluminum part that was EN plated. Looks nice, but there are random pits. I usually see it unfinished on steel, used for rust prevention on precision surfaces. I suppose it can take a nice shine though

Nigel- I remember reading some where a thread with comparisons between the two depositing methods. Also mentions of "home" kits do do either. This was a few+ years ago. Sorry if my memory is wrong or if it was so long ago the records have been lost. Andy.

Nigel- I remember reading some where a thread with comparisons between the two depositing methods. Also mentions of "home" kits do do either. This was a few+ years ago. Sorry if my memory is wrong or if it was so long ago the records have been lost. Andy.

Andy- I found the discussion on the home kit - they are electroless nickel only - not going that way, a professional will do a better job, and have the proper equipment to clean the parts before plating. In any surface treatment (plating, painting, andodizing, etc) cleanliness and preparation are the most important thing, followed by chemistry.

Regarding electroplating; thickness control is problematic; it tends to build up on sharp corners, just where you do not want it.

Nigel- Like I said my memory is not complete. But i will say that my and many others' experiences with plating has not been as good as we would have liked. For a few reasons. The motivation and communication between you and the plater seems to be the critical aspect. And many don't know or explain this. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that stainless steel is in vogue right now. Andy.

I have had several frames done that way. It's worked out well for durability as it was on downhill frames but it tends to be somewhat inconstant and prone to stains.

My personal DH bike has anodized pink components and an EN plated frame. It was built in 06 and raced for four seasons (DH is hard on paint) and there are no chips or flaking. I used bead blasting under the plate.

I have a EN plated t-slot plate and bench center. I have trouble with rust, and those two objects have none at all. So that makes me happy. I think an EN plated frame would look fairly nice. I actually like the dull look that it has on my equipment, I've never been a big fan of highly polished fully plated bikes.

I was browsing that site with interest until I came upon this horrible clanger:

Quote:

<- Not a Corvette
A customer from Nottingham brought in the chassis of a 1965 Corvette Stingray for shot-blasting. The chassis was very badly corroded and in need of extensive repair. NiTEC was able to sympathetically remove all the remaining paint and the corrosion through shot-blasting The customer has now rebuilt the car into the stunning example pictured on the left.

Quote:

The most common applications of Chilled Iron Shot Blasting include car restoration and repair, garden furniture restoration, and steel window frame restoration. It is also an effective way to restore any metal component that has deteriorated over time.